How SHOULD Chase be used in the offense?

[*bfine32*]

I read the main reason we drafted Chase was he could cause immediate separation. This allows Joe to run the 5 man protection set he prefers. Despite what many were saying leading up to the draft; Higgins is a deep threat and should be used as such. Chase should be used on slants and screens. It's exactly what they tried in PS.

[BritishBengal]

(09-01-2021, 07:45 PM)bfine32 Wrote: I read the main reason we drafted Chase was he could cause immediate separation. This allows Joe to run the 5 man protection set he prefers. Despite what many were saying leading up to the draft; Higgins is a deep threat and should be used as such. Chase should be used on slants and screens. It's exactly what they tried in PS.

Higgins is not a deep threat. Much more of a technician and a intermediate specialist finding those soft spots in zone coverage. His game is very similar to Allen Robinson. Big guy, strong, great route runner, can make the contested catches in the middle and red zone.

Chase far more a deep threat. You need that elite pace that can blow the top off coverage.

[BengalChris]

I don't think any special usage should be done at all. He should be used just like a WR.

While not in games he needs to be catching A LOT of balls until he's a catching machine. That's all that is needed!

[JaggedJimmyJay]

Preseason route running is vanilla anyway. They barely ever threw downfield to *anyone*.

I am quite certain Chase will be used for a ton of functions we haven’t seen yet. I suspect the YAC game will be critical (bubble screens galore), and he’ll get more deep 20-20 targets than the other two. The red zone probably goes more to Higgins and intermediate middle of the field stuff to Boyd. They’ll diversify that as much as they can so it’s not completely telegraphed.

[*Synric*]

Off topic but...

I always though Joe Brady would have made a spectacular Wide Receiver coach moreso than a QB coach after what he did with those guys at LSU.

[Frank Booth]

(09-01-2021, 07:52 PM)BritishBengal Wrote:  His game is very similar to Allen Robinson. Big guy, strong, great route runner, can make the contested catches in the middle and red zone.

you think the Bears, if they had a top 5 pick, wouldve used it on another receiver to pair with Allen Robinson?

You think Bears fans wouldve been ok with that?

[*jason*]

(09-01-2021, 07:54 PM)BengalChris Wrote: I don't think any special usage should be done at all. He should be used just like a WR.

While not in games he needs to be catching A LOT of balls until he's a catching machine. That's all that is needed!

And reps reps reps. The dude took a year off. It's a foolish thing to do, and we're seeing the result of it. A guy as talented as him should hit the ground running in the league, but it's not going to happen. This is going to be a developmental year for him. It is what it is.

[*Nately120*]

Man, usually this is the time of year where we are talking about how some undrafted WR who will end his NFL career with roughly zero catches could be "UNCOVERABLE" and now we're wondering how we can get our 5th overall pick rookie WR to catch anything.

It just don't add up.

[Wes Mantooth]

(09-01-2021, 06:23 PM)Joelist Wrote: For some strange reason, in preseason games they constantly sent him on shallow routes that were frequently in the middle. The only time they actually let him get into space (albeit in the backfield) he gained 16 yards - all the others were in traffic. That and pulling not only him but the first team offense way too fast in all three game means they are still rusty going into games that count.

I think a lot of that has to do with Zac Taylor's offense.  He uses a ton of underneath stuff and stuff outside the hash marks and to the sideline.   It's almost like he scared to use the middle of the field beyond 10 yards a lot unless he's calling something over the top the of the secondary or to the sideline.

I did not watch the preseason at all so I'm not sure what the plays you're referring to looked like.  But one of my biggest complaints with Taylor is that I've never seen a team have their receivers blanketed more.  Some of the windows Burrow was forced to squeeze throws into were amazing.  And I don't think it's as simple as guys not getting seperation.  I've seen teams with really piss poor WR's get more open. 

It's like he has no idea how to exploit a zone or call plays that create space.  Hell, there's been quite a few times where our receivers will end up damn near in the same spot, within only a few yards of eachother.  Or maybe it's as simple as the DC's knowing exactly what is going to do.

Fwiw, take this all with a huge grain of salt.  I'm far from an expert, and like I said, I watched none of the preseason so I don't even know what exactly you saw.  But I'm going to be very curious to see if Taylor can figure out to use Chase.  In his first two years it sure seems to be like he's struggled mightily in playcalling.  Hell, look at Burrow's YPA or YPC (yards per attempt, yards per completion).  They were pretty low and almost identical to Tua, who the Dolphins looked scared to death to let him let loose. 

[Destro]

As a WR. Should do everything a WR should do.

[BritishBengal]

(09-01-2021, 07:59 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: you think the Bears, if they had a top 5 pick, wouldve used it on another receiver to pair with Allen Robinson?

You think Bears fans wouldve been ok with that?

Not sure what the context of this is tbh. Bears still have a need at WR and with Fields on board, Robinson his late 20s and Mooney still an unknown really, why not? You draft rare skill sets at the top of the first and in the modern game an elite #1 wr changes your offense about as much as anything outside of QB.

[Essex Johnson]

(09-01-2021, 06:23 PM)Joelist Wrote: A better (and less antagonistic to other forum posters) question than the "regret" or "bust" stuff is how should he be used in the offense?

My understanding of why we took him was he has the tools to stretch a defense vertically, leading to more running room and less defenses sitting on the run and the short routes. So they should be playing him at X and calling the appropriate posts and other deeper routes to leverage his strong points.

For some strange reason, in preseason games they constantly sent him on shallow routes that were frequently in the middle. The only time they actually let him get into space (albeit in the backfield) he gained 16 yards - all the others were in traffic. That and pulling not only him but the first team offense way too fast in all three game means they are still rusty going into games that count.

How do we know it was strange to do that, actually I thought that was a big reseason we drafted him to do that but he sucked at it in preseason. In the end he needs to excel at whatever Bengals put him in.

[GreenCornBengal]

I would use him very similarly to how they used AJ Green last year… hey, I think that’s what they plan to do!

AJ had plenty of deep chances and short to middle slants that he caught, he just instantly curled up like a rolley polley… I believe the hope is chase can break a tackle and make some bigger gains there.

He’s also very good in the deep sideline game, send him deep then bring him back on a curl. Have him change it up with some posts and hot routes with Burrow.

At the end of the day, it’s going to work out and the big 3 will be looking good out there. People need to calm the f down when it comes to Chase… at least until he makes big mistakes in big games. But until then, chill people.

[Joelist]

(09-01-2021, 08:47 PM)GreenCornBengal Wrote: I would use him very similarly to how they used AJ Green last year… hey, I think that’s what they plan to do!

AJ had plenty of deep chances and short to middle slants that he caught, he just instantly curled up like a rolley polley… I believe the hope is chase can break a tackle and make some bigger gains there.

He’s also very good in the deep sideline game, send him deep then bring him back on a curl. Have him change it up with some posts and hot routes with Burrow.

At the end of the day, it’s going to work out and the big 3 will be looking good out there. People need to calm the f down when it comes to Chase… at least until he makes big mistakes in big games. But until then, chill people.

This thread is about scheme and not whether Chase will work out, was he the right choice or the other such topics. 

I like your thinking on using him similarly to AJ Green. I was also thinking Chad Johnson in terms of usage. 

[Joelist]

(09-01-2021, 08:13 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: I think a lot of that has to do with Zac Taylor's offense.  He uses a ton of underneath stuff and stuff outside the hash marks and to the sideline.   It's almost like he scared to use the middle of the field beyond 10 yards a lot unless he's calling something over the top the of the secondary or to the sideline.

I did not watch the preseason at all so I'm not sure what the plays you're referring to looked like.  But one of my biggest complaints with Taylor is that I've never seen a team have their receivers blanketed more.  Some of the windows Burrow was forced to squeeze throws into were amazing.  And I don't think it's as simple as guys not getting seperation.  I've seen teams with really piss poor WR's get more open. 

It's like he has no idea how to exploit a zone or call plays that create space.  Hell, there's been quite a few times where our receivers will end up damn near in the same spot, within only a few yards of eachother.  Or maybe it's as simple as the DC's knowing exactly what is going to do.

Fwiw, take this all with a huge grain of salt.  I'm far from an expert, and like I said, I watched none of the preseason so I don't even know what exactly you saw.  But I'm going to be very curious to see if Taylor can figure out to use Chase.  In his first two years it sure seems to be like he's struggled mightily in playcalling.  Hell, look at Burrow's YPA or YPC (yards per attempt, yards per completion).  They were pretty low and almost identical to Tua, who the Dolphins looked scared to death to let him let loose. 

I have noticed the same weird thing - it's like he is afraid to get his QB unwind and really play. 

The preseason plays were little tiny passes over the middle - very short and into traffic. And yes I have also noticed he does nothing to scheme his receivers open; and it is sad because that used to be a Bengals specialty over the years. Even in the lost decade OCs like Coslet and Anderson used scheme to create favorable matchups. 

[*rfaulk34*]

(09-01-2021, 07:15 PM)BritishBengal Wrote: I'm sorry. There are some ridiculous responses here. 

(09-01-2021, 07:24 PM)ah5 Wrote: Appears he can't catch or run an entire route tree.  

You mean like that one? ^

[impactplaya]

I would start by moving Chase all.around the offense.line him In the slot...X....in the backfield.....make sure the defense has
To be aware of him at all times.
One of the routes that for whatever reason ZT refuses to
Run is a simple out and up. I would use Chase on out and ups
Sluggo routes, deep crossers where he can catch
The ball in stride and simply out run the coverage
ZT does a horse manure job of executing bubble screens
Slip screens ....
Send him in motion run.some jet sweeps

[NUGDUKWE]

Well depending how week 1 unfolds I'd prefer to treat him like we treated Higgins last year but maybe just minimal targets instead of none. I would like to see Chase one on one with a DB on a deep ball and just see how that plays out. But maybe wait to see how our line is holding up.

[Benton]

Can he at least return punts?

[kevin]

(09-01-2021, 06:23 PM)Joelist Wrote: A better (and less antagonistic to other forum posters) question than the "regret" or "bust" stuff is how should he be used in the offense?

My understanding of why we took him was he has the tools to stretch a defense vertically, leading to more running room and less defenses sitting on the run and the short routes. So they should be playing him at X and calling the appropriate posts and other deeper routes to leverage his strong points.

For some strange reason, in preseason games they constantly sent him on shallow routes that were frequently in the middle. The only time they actually let him get into space (albeit in the backfield) he gained 16 yards - all the others were in traffic. That and pulling not only him but the first team offense way too fast in all three game means they are still rusty going into games that count.

They took him for ONE REASON ONLY, and that is Joe Burrow already has his timing down to him at LSU.  You did not see that in Preseason because Joe Burrow did not play much in preseason.  If you look at Chase highlights on YouTube you will see Burrow hitting him Deep, their timing is perfect on The Bomb and also in The Red Zone into End Zone. 

Anybody judging Chase on how he looked with back-up QB's are being foolish.  Plus, our back-ups mostly throw short dink passes. That is why they are back-ups. 

Chase should be used as planned. To give Burrow a 3rd WR that he already has his timing down with.  Burrow got some timing down with Boyd and Higgins, but Defenses can Stop 2 Receivers. Chase is a 3rd WR that Burrow has his timing down from LSU.  You use all 3 for Burrow to throw to.  Burrow at LSU was good at finding the open receiver of many receivers.  That is how you use Burrow here, and that is how you use Boyd, Higgins, Chase here.  If Bengals do not go to an LSU type offense, then they were foolish to draft Burrow and Chase if Cincinnati is too hard headed to adapt and change the Last Place offense. 

Green was slacking to go free agent and Ross was awful. So Burrow did not have enough pass catchers. Any NFL D can cover 2. The Burrow to Chase combo from LSU gives Burrow 3 WR's that he has timing to, and THAT is why they took Chase on letting Green and Ross go, and THAT is how they use Chase. As part of a stable of pass catchers for Burrow, so many that Defenses can't cover them all. If Boyd is open, hit Boyd. If Higgins, hit Higgins. If Chase, hit Chase. Now this is providing The O Line gives time to do anything. If there is Blocking, Teams can not Double Team Boyd, Higgins and Chase, or they will leave one of them WIDE OPEN. Plus RUN Mixon...Burrow, Mixon, Boyd, Higgins, Chase of Run and Pass and the idea is to force Defenses into One on One and Bengals Hard To Defend.

The past problem was always throwing to Chad or Green, That is Wrong...I got so tired of seeing throwing to Chad or Green in Double or Triple Coverage. The goal of Boyd, Higgins, Chase is to NOT throw into Double or Triple Coverage. Burrows Game is to Hit The Open Man, like in Basketball.

Don Meredith said it took him a few years to get the timing down to a WR like Bobby Hayes. By bringing in the Burrow to Chase combo from LSU, that Timing is already there. Plus Burrow got some timing down with Boyd and Higgins. In 1981 The Bengals had too many pass catchers to cover as they went Super Bowl, and THAT is the 2021 goal, Too Many To Cover....Now we need The Blocking to Step Up. The 80's Teams had Munoz and Montoya. These Blockers need to Block for any of this to work. And there must be a RUN GAME as the 1981 and 1988 Bengals had. Block Open some Run Lanes for Mixon.